System and method for compactly shipping and finally assembling an upholstered seat

ABSTRACT

A method of compactly packaging an upholstered seat for shipment includes providing an upholstered seat bottom including a base with a top surface, a front edge, a rear edge, a first end, a second end, a first upwardly extending side arm attached to the first end, and a second upwardly extending side arm attached to the second end. The method further includes providing an upholstered seat back configured for secure attachment to the seat bottom after shipment, and compactly arranging the seat bottom and the seat back within a substantially rectilinear shipping carton. The upholstered seat can include at least one bracket assembly for irremovably attaching the seat back to the seat bottom after shipment.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to furniture, and more particularlyrelates to an upholstered seat which can be compactly packaged in apartially disassembled state, and which includes a bracket assembly forquickly and substantially irremovably connecting separate portions ofthe upholstered seat after shipment.

BACKGROUND

Traditional upholstered seats include a usually wooden frame having abottom portion, a back portion, and side arm portions. As used herein,the term “seat” is used to generally refer to an upholstered chair,sofa, couch, and the like. The bottom portion, back portion, and sidearm portions of such frames are permanently connected together toprovide rigid support structures for the seats Spring supports can beprovided on the bottom portions of the frames, and padding and fabric atleast partially cover the frame. Cushions can be provided atop thespring supports and/or against the backs of the seats.

When such traditional upholstered seats are to be transported longdistances on ships, for example, the seats are typically stowed in largeshipping containers. Due to the irregular shapes of such seats, it canbe difficult to compactly arrange the seats in a shipping container in amanner that minimizes the amount of unoccupied and wasted space withinthe container. Accordingly, it can advantageous to ship the seats inunassembled parts which can be more compactly arranged within a shippingcontainer. Once such seats arrive at their final destinations, the partsmust be assembled together to provide a complete article of furniture.Unfortunately, such seats can include a substantial number ofunassembled parts or portions and loose connecting hardware that must befinally assembled after shipment, thus complicating final assembly ofthe seats.

Accordingly, there is a need for an upholstered seat which can bearranged in a partially unassembled and compact configuration, and whichpermits the partially unassembled and compactly arranged seat to bepackaged in a single shipping carton or container in a manner thatminimizes the amount of wasted space within the carton or container. Inaddition, there is a need for a method and device for quickly andsecurely assembling the unassembled portions of the upholstered seattogether after shipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the invention includes a method of compactly packagingan upholstered seat for shipment. The method includes providing anupholstered seat bottom including a base with a top surface, a frontedge, a rear edge, a first end, a second end, a first upwardly extendingside arm attached to the first end and having a first top, and a secondupwardly extending side arm attached to the second end and having asecond top. The method further includes providing a separate upholsteredseat back configured for secure attachment to the seat bottom aftershipment, and compactly arranging the seat bottom and the separate seatback within a substantially rectilinear shipping carton.

In another embodiment, a bracket assembly for irremovably attaching afirst portion of an upholstered article of furniture to a second portionof the upholstered article of furniture includes a male bracket and afemale bracket. The male bracket can include an elongated end having afirst side wall and an opposed second side wall, a first protrusionoutwardly extending from the first side wall, and a second protrusionoutwardly extending from the second side wall, and at least one mountingflange for attaching the male bracket to the first portion of article offurniture. The female bracket can include a top end and an opposedbottom end, a first side and an opposed second side defining anelongated channel therebetween, the channel extending from the top endto the bottom end and being configured to receive the elongated end ofthe male bracket, a first recess in the first side and a second recessin the second side, and at least one flange for attaching the femalebracket to the second portion of article of furniture. When theelongated end of the male bracket is received in the channel of thefemale bracket, the first protrusion is received in the first recess andthe second protrusion is received in the second recess such that thefirst and second protrusions resist extraction of the end of the malebracket from the channel of the female bracket.

In a further embodiment, an upholstered sofa, chair or couch includes aback portion having a first end, an opposed second end, and a middleportion, and a bottom portion having a first upwardly extending side armwith a first inside surface, and an opposed second upwardly extendingside arm with a second inside surface. A first male bracket can beprovided on the first end, and a second male bracket can be provided onthe second end. The first and second male brackets can each include anelongated portion having at least outwardly extending protrusionthereon. A first female bracket can be provided on the first insidesurface and a second female bracket can be provided on the second insidesurface. The first and second female brackets can each include anelongated channel defined by a plurality of walls, at least one wall ofeach of the first and second female brackets including a recess therein.When the elongated portions of the first and second male brackets areeach received in the channel of one of the first and second femalebrackets and the protrusions of the first and second male brackets areeach received in the recess of one of the first and second femalebrackets, the back portion is substantially irremovably attached to thebottom portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of a sofa accordingto the invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the sofa shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is another bottom perspective view of the sofa shown in FIGS. 1and 2.

FIG. 4A shows a first packaging arrangement for a sofa like that shownin FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 4B shows a second packaging arrangement for a sofa like that shownin FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a female bracket forattaching a seat back to a seat bottom to produce the sofa shown inFIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a male bracket forattaching a seat back to a seat bottom to produce the sofa shown inFIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the male bracket of FIG. 6 receivedin the female bracket shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 7 showingthe male bracket of FIG. 6 received in the female bracket shown in FIG.5.

FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of the female bracket shown in FIGS. 5,7 and 8.

FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of the female bracket shown in FIGS. 5 and7-9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a sofa 10 having a separate upholsteredback 20 which can be compactly packaged with the sofa's bottom 30 forshipment. As discussed in detail below, the separate back 20 and bottom30 can be compactly packaged in a single shipping carton, and compactlystowed within a large shipping container with other similarly packagedsofas 10 such that wasted space within the shipping carton and theshipping container is minimized. Once the sofa 10 arrives at a finaldestination, a user can assemble the back 20 to the bottom 30 in amanner like that described below. Once the back 20 is assembled to thebottom 30, the sofa 10 has the appearance of a traditional upholsteredsofa having a continuous wooden frame and a permanently attached andinseparable back and bottom.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sofa 10 can include an upholstered back 20having a lower edge 24 and first and second opposed ends 22, 26. As alsoshown in FIG. 1, the bottom 30 can include an upholstered base 31 havinga substantially planar upper surface 32, a first upholstered side arm 34affixed to one end of the base 31, and a second upholstered side arm 36affixed to an opposite end of the base 31. In the embodiment shown, thebase 31 and side arms 34, 36 combine to provide the bottom 30 with anelongated U shape. The separate upholstered back 20 can be assembled tothe bottom 30 as indicated by the directional arrow 12 in FIG. 1. Theback 20 can be lowered between rear portions of the opposed side arms34, 36 until the lower edge 24 of the back 20 rests upon or is proximateto a rear portion of the upper surface 32 of the base 31.

As shown in FIG. 1, the back 20 can include a first male bracket 50 onits first end 22. Though not visible in FIG. 1, the back 20 cansimilarly include a second male bracket 50 on its opposite end 26. Asalso shown in FIG. 1, a female bracket 40 can be provided on a rearportion of the inside surface 38 of the second side arm 36. Though notvisible in FIG. 1, another female bracket 40 can be similarly providedon a rear portion of the inside surface 39 of the first side arm 34. Asdescribed below, each male bracket 50 can be arranged to engage analigned female bracket 40 when the back 20 is assembled to the bottom 30as described above. During assembly, the weight of the back 20 assistsin insertion of the male brackets 50 into the female brackets 40. Oncethe back 20 is fully received by the bottom 30 and the male brackets 50are fully engaged with their mating female brackets 40, the malebrackets 50 and female brackets 40 can cooperate to substantiallyirremovably affix the ends 22, 26 of the back 20 to the side arms 34,36. As also shown in FIG. 1, a flap 80 can downwardly extend from theback 20. In one embodiment, the flap 80 is a portion of a continuoussheet of fabric that downwardly extends from a top edge 21 of the back20 to a lower edge 82 of the flap 80.

As shown in FIG. 2, a bolt 60 can be used to connect a mid-span portionof the back 20 to a mid-span portion of the base 31. The bolt 60 caninclude an elongated rod 69 including a threaded portion 62 and a head64. As shown in FIG. 2, the head 64 can include tabs or wings 67configured to permit the head 64 to be gripped by a person's fingers asthe bolt 60 is manually rotated by the person. The bolt 60 can beinserted through an opening 33 in a rear portion of the base 31 suchthat the threaded portion 62 of the bolt 60 upwardly extends through thebase 31. Though not shown in the drawings, the back 20 can include analigned opening in its lower edge 24 for receiving part of the ethreaded portion 62 of the bolt 60 that upwardly extends above the uppersurface 32 of the base 31. The aligned opening in the back 20 caninclude internal threads for threadably receiving the bolt 60.Alternatively, a nut (not shown) can be provided on the threaded end ofthe bolt 60 for securing the back 20 to the base 31. As shown in FIG. 2,a washer 66 and a lock washer 68 can be disposed between the head 64 ofthe bolt 60 and a bottom surface 35 of the base 31. When the bolt 60 isthreadably engaged with the aligned opening in the back 20 and the bolt60 is tightened such that the head 64 and washers 66, 68 are seatedagainst the bottom surface 35 of the base 31 as shown in FIG. 3, thebolt 60 substantially prevents a mid-span portion of the assembled base20 from moving or flexing relative to the base 31 when a rearward forceis applied to the mid-span portion of the back 20, such as a rearwardforce applied by the back of person seated on the sofa 10. In analternative arrangement, the bolt 60 can downwardly extend from the back20 and through the opening 33 in the base 31, and can receive a nut onits lower end for securing the back 20 to the base 31. Once the back 20is assembled to the bottom 30, one or more cushions (not shown) can beplaced on the upper surface 32 of the base 31 to form a cushionedseating surface.

As shown in FIG. 3, the flap 80 on the back 20 can downwardly extendbehind a rear portion of the base 31 and between the opposed side arms34, 36. The forward face of the lower edge 82 of the flap 80 can includea first hook-and-loop fastening material, such as Velcro® or the like.The bottom of an adjacent rear edge 37 of the base 31 can include asecond hook-and-loop fastening material for engagement with the firsthook-and-loop fastening material on the lower edge 82 of the flap 80. Asshown in FIG. 3, the lower edge 82 of the flap 80 can be folded underthe adjacent rear edge 37 of the base 31 and secured in that foldedposition by the first and second hook-and-loop fastening materials. Theflap 80 can cover the juncture between the back 20 and the base 31,thereby providing the rear of the sofa 10 with a finished appearance. Asshown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the bottom 30 can include a cavity 11 defined bythe side arms 34, 36, the rear edge 37 of the base 31, a forward edge 13of the base 31, and the bottom surface 35 of the base 31.

FIG. 4A shows one embodiment of a shipping arrangement 100 which can beused to compactly package a sofa 10 like that described above within asubstantially rectilinear shipping carton 190. A shown in FIG. 4A, theunassembled back 20 can be laid substantially flat and positioned belowthe base 31. In one embodiment in which the back 20 is appropriatelysized and shaped, at least a portion of the back 20 is received within acavity under the bottom 30 like the bottom cavity 11 shown in FIGS. 2and 3, for example. Loose pillows, cushions, or the like (not shown) canalso be stowed within the cavity 11 as space permits. As shown in FIG.4A, one or more seat cushions 71, 72 can be situated atop the base 31and between the opposed side arms 34, 36. As also shown in FIG. 4A, oneor more unattached pillows 75, 77 can also be positioned between theopposed side arms 34, 36. Once so arranged, the back 20, the bottom 30and any cushions 71, 72 and/or pillows 75, 77 can be compactly packagedwithin the rectilinear shipping carton 190 such that there is a minimalamount of unoccupied or wasted space within the carton 190. The carton190 can be stacked and compactly arranged with other similar cartonswithin a larger shipping container for long-distance transport, such ason a ship, for example. Though not shown in FIG. 4A, the shippingarrangement 100 can include additional packaging materials for securingthe sofa 10 within the carton 190 and for protecting the sofa 10 againstdamage during shipment or handling. Once the package 100 arrives at afinal destination, the sofa 10 can be unpacked from the carton 190 andthe back 20 can be quickly assembled to the bottom 30 as describedabove.

FIG. 4B shows another embodiment of a shipping arrangement 200 which canbe used to compactly package a sofa 10 like that described above withina substantially rectilinear shipping carton 90. A shown in FIG. 4B, theunassembled back 20 can be laid substantially flat and positioned abovethe base 31 and between the upright side arms 34, 36 of the bottom 30.In FIG. 4B, the back 20 is situated atop a pair of cushions 71, 72 whichrest on the base 31 and are also positioned between the opposed sidearms 34, 36. In an alternative arrangement, the back 20 can be placeddirectly on the base 31 without cushions 71, 72 disposed therebetween.In a further alternative arrangement, the back 20 can be placed directlyon the base 31 and the cushions 71, 72 can be stacked atop the back 20,for example. Other associated items such as additional cushions,pillows, or the like can also be compactly arranged with the back 20between the side arms 34, 36 when available space permits. As shown inFIG. 4B, the back 20 and bottom 30 can be configured such that when theunassembled back 20 is compactly stowed between the side arms 34, 36, nosubstantial portion of the back 20 extends above the side arms 34, 36,no substantial portion of the back 20 extends forward of the base 31,and no substantial portion of the back 20 extends rearward of the base31. As also shown in FIG. 4B, the compactly arranged back 20, bottom 30and any cushions 71, 72 can be packaged within the rectilinear shippingcarton 90 such that there is a minimal amount of unoccupied or wastedspace within the carton 90. The carton 90 can be stacked and compactlyarranged with other similar cartons within a larger shipping containerfor long-distance transport, such as on a ship, for example. Though notshown in FIG. 4B, the shipping arrangement 200 can include additionalpackaging materials for securing the sofa 10 within the carton 90 andfor protecting the sofa 10 against damage during shipment or handling.Once the package 200 arrives at a final destination, the sofa 10 can beunpacked from the carton 90 and the back 20 can be quickly assembled tothe bottom 30 as described above.

Details of one embodiment of a female bracket 40 for use in securing theends of the back 20 to the side arms 34, 36 of the sofa 10 is shown inFIGS. 5, 9 and 10. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 9, the bracket 40 can includea front wall 41, opposed first and second side walls 43 a, 43 b, opposedfirst and second mounting flanges 47 a, 47 b, an upper end 42, and alower end 44. The front wall 41 and opposed first and second side walls43 a, 43 b form an elongated channel 45 extending between the upper end42 and the lower end 44. Each of the mounting flanges 47 a, 47 b caninclude one or more holes 49 for receiving screws or the like forsecurely attaching the female bracket 40 on an inside surface 38, 39 ofa side arm 34, 36 as shown in FIG. 1. As best seen in FIG. 9, the femalebracket 40 can further include opposed first and second upper sidewalls46 a, 46 b. The upper sidewalls 46 a, 46 b can be spaced farther apartthan the first and second side walls 43 a, 43 b such that the channel 45shown in FIG. 5 is at least slightly wider at the upper end 42 than atthe lower end 44. As described below, the wider upper portion of thechannel 45 facilitates insertion of a portion of a mating male bracket50 into the channel 45 as the back 20 is assembled to the bottom 30 ofthe sofa 10 as shown in FIG. 1 and discussed above.

As best seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, a first recess 70 a is formed in aninside surface of the first side wall 43 a, and a second recess 70 b isformed in an inside surface of the second side wall 43 b. In oneembodiment, the first recess 70 a and the second recess 70 b aredirectly opposite each other on opposed sides of the channel 45. In theembodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the recesses 70 a, 70 b aresubstantially semi-spherical dimples or indentations formed in theirrespective side walls 43 a, 43 b. The recesses 70 a, 70 b can also haveother shapes and configurations not shown in the drawings. For example,the recesses 70 a, 70 b can be formed by openings that extend throughthe respective side walls 43 a, 40 b, such as circular holes or thelike. Other configurations are also possible. In one embodiment, thefemale bracket 40 is constructed of metal, such as steel, aluminum, orthe like, and is constructed in a single continuous piece. In anotherembodiment, the female bracket 40 is constructed of a continuous, strongand durable molded plastic material, or the like. Other materials canalso be used to construct the female bracket 40.

Details of one embodiment of a male bracket 50 for use in securing theends of the back 20 to the side arms 34, 36 of the sofa 10 are shown inFIG. 6. In this embodiment, the male bracket 50 includes a back wall 51,opposed first and second side walls 53 a, 53 b, opposed first and secondmounting flanges 57 a, 57 b, and upper end 52, and a lower end 54. Themounting flanges 57 a, 57 b are disposed proximate to the upper end 52,and have lower edges 55 a, 55 b that are located substantially above thelower end 54 of the male bracket 50. Each of the mounting flanges 57 a,57 b can include one or more holes 59 for receiving screws or the likefor securely attaching the male bracket 50 on an end 22, 26 of the back20 as shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 6, the first side wall 53 a caninclude a first protrusion 58 a that outwardly extends from an outersurface of the first side wall 53 a. Similarly, the second side wall 53b can include a second protrusion 58 b that outwardly extends from anouter surface of the second side wall 53 b. In the embodiment shown inthe drawings, the first and second protrusions 58 a, 58 b aresubstantially semi-spherical blisters or buttons formed in therespective side walls 53 a, 53 b. The first and second protrusions 58 a,58 b can also have other shapes and configurations not shown in thedrawings. For example, the protrusions 58 a, 58 b can be tabs thatoutwardly extend from the side walls 53 a, 53 b, or the like. In oneembodiment, the male bracket 50 is constructed of metal, such as steel,aluminum, or the like, and is formed as one continuous piece. In anotherembodiment, the male bracket 50 is constructed of a continuous, strongand durable molded plastic material, or the like. Other materials canalso be used to construct the male bracket 50.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show the lower end 54 of the male bracket 50 received inthe channel 45 of the female bracket 40. As shown in FIG. 7, when themale bracket 50 is fully inserted in the female bracket, the lower edges55 a, 55 b of the mounting flanges 57 a, 57 b of the male bracket 50 canrest upon or be closely proximate to the upper end 42 of the femalebracket 40, and the lower end 54 of the male bracket 50 can be proximateto the lower end 44 of the female bracket 40. The mounting flanges 57 a,57 b on the male bracket 50 and the mounting flanges 47 a, 47 b on thefemale bracket 40 are arranged such that the male bracket 50 can beinserted into the female bracket 40 when the male bracket 50 is attachedto an end 22, 26 of the back 20 and the female bracket 40 is attached toan inside surface 38, 39 of a side arm 34, 36 of the sofa 10 as shown inFIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 8, when the male bracket 50 is inserted into thechannel 45 of the male bracket, the opposed side walls 53 a, 53 b of themale bracket 50 are closely proximate to the respective opposedsidewalls 43 a, 43 b of the female bracket 40. Preferably, the lateralclearances between the opposed side walls 53 a, 53 b of the male bracket50 and the respective opposed sidewalls 43 a, 43 b of the female bracket40 are sufficiently small to substantially prevent relative lateralmovement between the mated brackets 40, 50, but are also sufficientlylarge to permit the male bracket 50 to be inserted into the femalebracket 40 when the brackets 40, 50 are not perfectly aligned with eachother. As described above, the opposed upper side walls 46 a, 46 b ofthe female bracket 40 are spaced farther apart than the side walls 43 a,43 b of the female bracket 40 and the channel 45 of the female bracket40 is wider at the upper end 42 of the female bracket 40 than at thelower end 44. Accordingly, the lower end 54 of the male bracket 50 canenter the upper end 42 of the female bracket 40 even though there may besome lateral misalignment between the male bracket 50 and the femalebracket 40.

As shown in FIG. 8, when the male bracket 50 is fully inserted into thechannel 45 of the female bracket 40, each of the protrusions 58 a, 58 bon the side walls 53 a, 53 b of the male bracket 50 are received withina corresponding recess 70 a, 70 b in the side walls 43 a, 43 b of thefemale bracket 40. Once so engaged, the protrusions 58 a, 58 bsubstantially prevent the male bracket 50 from being extracted from themated female bracket 4. Accordingly, the mated brackets 40, 50 combineto provide a substantially permanent attachment between the back 20 andbottom 30 of the sofa 10 shown in FIG. 1 and described above, and permita person to assemble the back 20 to the bottom 30 without tools and withno loose hardware.

Because the opposed protrusions 58 a, 58 b on the male bracket 50 arewider than the channel 45 of the female bracket, the protrusions 58 a,58 b can interfere with insertion of the male bracket 50 into thenarrower channel 45. Preferably, the side walls 53 a, 53 b of the malebracket 50 are sufficiently flexible to permit the side walls 53 a, 53 band protrusions 58 a, 58 b to resiliently deflect inwardly as the malebracket 50 is inserted into the channel 45. In addition, the opposedside walls 43 a, 43 b of the female bracket 40 can be sufficientlyflexible to be at least slightly resiliently wedged apart by theprotrusions 58 a, 58 b as the male bracket 50 is inserted into thefemale bracket 40. The semi-spherical shape of the protrusions 58 a, 58b shown in the drawings can assist in resiliently wedging the side walls43 a, 53 a and the side walls 43 b, 53 b apart as the male bracket 50 isinserted into the female bracket 40.

The above descriptions of various embodiments of the invention areprovided to illustrate and highlight particular aspects and features ofthe invention, and not to limit the invention thereto. Persons ofordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes andmodifications can be made to the specifically described embodimentswithout departing from the scope of the invention. All such changes andmodifications are intended to be within the scope of the appendedclaims.

1. A method of compactly packaging an upholstered seat for shipment, themethod comprising: a. providing an upholstered seat bottom comprising abase with a top surface, a front edge, a rear edge, a first end, asecond end, a first upwardly extending side arm attached to the firstend and having a first top, and a second upwardly extending side armattached to the second end and having a second top; b. providing aseparate upholstered seat back configured for secure attachment to theseat bottom after shipment; and c. compactly arranging the seat bottomand the separate seat back within a substantially rectilinear shippingcarton.
 2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of compactlyarranging the seat bottom and the seat back within the shipping cartoncomprises positioning the seat back below the seat bottom.
 3. A methodaccording to claim 1 wherein the seat bottom comprises a bottom cavityand wherein the step of compactly arranging the seat bottom and the seatback within the shipping carton comprises positioning the seat backbelow the seat bottom such that at least a portion of the seat back isreceived within the bottom cavity.
 4. A method according to claim 1wherein compactly arranging the seat bottom and the seat back within theshipping carton comprises placing the seat back above the top surface ofthe base and between the first and second upwardly extending side armssuch that no substantial portion of the seat back extends forward of thefront edge, rearward of the rear edge, or above the first or second topsof the first and second side arms.
 5. A method according to claim 1wherein the upholstered seat bottom includes at least one first bracketand the upholstered seat back includes at least one second bracket,wherein the first bracket is configured to substantially irremovablyengage the second bracket when the seat back is attached to the seatbottom after shipment.
 6. A method according to claim 1 furthercomprising providing at least one seat cushion or pillow, and placingthe seat cushion or pillow between the first and second upwardlyextending side arms such that no substantial portion of the seat cushionor pillow extends forward of the front edge, rearward of the rear edge,or above the first or second tops of the first and second side arms, andenclosing the seat bottom, the seat back and the cushion or pillowwithin the substantially rectilinear shipping carton.
 7. A bracketassembly for irremovably attaching a first portion of an upholsteredarticle of furniture to a second portion of the upholstered article offurniture, the bracket assembly comprising: a. a male bracketcomprising: i. an elongated end having a first side wall and an opposedsecond side wall; ii. a first protrusion outwardly extending from thefirst side wall, and a second protrusion outwardly extending from thesecond side wall; and iii. at least one mounting flange for attachingthe male bracket to the first portion of article of furniture; b. afemale bracket comprising: i. a top end and an opposed bottom end; ii. afirst side and an opposed second side defining an elongated channeltherebetween, the channel extending from the top end to the bottom endand being configured to receive the elongated end of the male bracket;and iii. a first recess in the first side and a second recess in thesecond side; and iv. at least one flange for attaching the femalebracket to the second portion of article of furniture; c. wherein whenthe elongated end of the male bracket is received in the channel of thefemale bracket, the first protrusion is received in the first recess andthe second protrusion is received in the second recess such that thefirst and second protrusions resist extraction of the end of the malebracket from the channel of the female bracket.
 8. A bracket assemblyaccording to claim 7 wherein the first side wall of male bracket isparallel to the second side wall of the male bracket.
 9. A bracketassembly according to claim 7 wherein the first side of the femalebracket is parallel to the second side of the female bracket.
 10. Abracket assembly according to claim 7 wherein the channel is wider atthe top end of the female bracket than at the bottom end of the femalebracket.
 11. A bracket assembly according to claim 7 wherein themounting flange of the male bracket includes a lower edge, and whereinthe lower edge is proximate to the top end of the female bracket whenthe elongated end of the male bracket is received in the channel of thefemale bracket, the first protrusion is received in the first recess andthe second protrusion is received in the second recess.
 12. A bracketassembly according to claim 11 wherein the lower edge contacts the topend of the female bracket when the elongated end of the male bracket isreceived in the channel of the female bracket, the first protrusion isreceived in the first recess and the second protrusion is received inthe second recess.
 13. A bracket assembly according to claim 7 whereinthe first protrusion and the second protrusion have substantiallysemi-spherical shapes.
 14. A bracket assembly according to claim 7wherein the first protrusion is integrally formed on the first sidewalland the second protrusion is integrally formed on the second side wall.15. A bracket assembly according to claim 7 wherein the first recess andthe second recess have substantially semi-spherical shapes.
 16. Abracket assembly according to claim 7 wherein the first recess is formedby a first opening in the first side of the female bracket, and thesecond recess is formed by a second opening in the second side of thefemale bracket.
 17. A bracket assembly according to claim 7 wherein theelongated end of the male bracket is non-tapered.
 18. A bracket assemblyaccording to claim 7 wherein the male bracket is constructed of acontinuous piece of material.
 19. A bracket assembly according to claim7 wherein the female bracket is constructed of a continuous piece ofmaterial.
 20. A sofa, chair or couch comprising the bracket assembly ofclaim
 7. 21. An upholstered sofa, chair or couch comprising: a. a backportion having a first end, an opposed second end, and a middle portion;b. a bottom portion having a first upwardly extending side arm with afirst inside surface, and an opposed second upwardly extending side armwith a second inside surface; c. a first male bracket on the first endand a second male bracket on the second end, the first and second malebrackets each including an elongated portion having at least outwardlyextending protrusion thereon; and d. a first female bracket on the firstinside surface and a second female bracket on the second inside surface,the first and second female brackets each including an elongated channeldefined by a plurality of walls, at least one wall of each of the firstand second female brackets including a recess therein; e. wherein whenthe elongated portions of the first and second male brackets are eachreceived in the channel of one of the first and second female bracketsand the protrusions of the first and second male brackets are eachreceived in the recess of one of the first and second female brackets,the back portion is substantially irremovably attached to the bottomportion.
 22. An upholstered sofa, chair or couch according to claim 21further comprising at least one bolt connecting the middle portion ofthe back to the bottom.
 23. An upholstered sofa, chair or couchaccording to claim 21 wherein the first male bracket, the second malebracket, the first female bracket, and the second female bracket areeach constructed of a continuous piece of material.